Fireworks displays come with increased vigilance

A watermelon is blown to bits by reloadable mortar during a consumer fireworks safety demonstration by the state Fire Marshal's Office in Concord on Tuesday. The demonstration was called off following this explosion which sent the mortar towards spectators and under a table full of fireworks. (DAVID LANE/UNION LEADER)

Police agencies tasked with providing security throughout the Granite State at large fireworks displays say the memories of the Boston Marathon are fresh.

"We're going to do what we normally do and may have a slightly increased presence," said Concord police Lt. Timothy O'Malley. "We are cognizant of what happened in Boston. We are aware of that."

• In Manchester, where fireworks will be displayed tonight at Arms Park, the park will close to cars at 6 p.m.

"Certainly we take what happened in Boston in light when planning our security," Police Lt. Jim Flanagan said. "There is an increased vigilance."

Commercial Street will be restricted to pedestrians beginning at 8 p.m. The Notre Dame Bridge on Bridge Street will be closed to traffic at 8 a.m. Entertainment will be provided by the 39th Army Band beginning at approximately 7:30 p.m. The fireworks display will start about 9:30 p.m. Food and beverage vendors will be available on site beginning at 6 p.m., but people can bring their own food and beverages. Alcohol is not permitted.

The rain date for the fireworks is Friday.

• In Concord, one street will close at noon and traffic patterns on three streets will be limited to one-way traffic beginning at 3:30 p.m. Thursday to accommodate the city's fireworks display at Memorial Field.

Langley Parkway, between Clinton and Pleasant streets, will close at noon. Traffic will be allowed heading north on South Fruit Street, east on Redington Road and north on Minot Street, police said in a news release.

The rain date is Friday.

• Portsmouth hosts its fireworks display tonight at 9:15 p.m. at Leary Field. Nearly all streets near the park will be closed to parking, except for residents of the area. Motorists who park at the city's garage downtown between 5 and 9 p.m. will be charged a flat rate of $3. The fireworks rain date is Friday.